I know the Soccernet bosses like us to turn up in the office regularly over the close season, but I think it's a well known fact that I believe the period between early May and mid August should be entirely for the domain of summer sports (and I'm fully aware many of you were involved in late May and are already ironing your club shirts for pre-season tournaments) and it's something I like to resist where possible.

Be that as it may though, I've just popped in to do a spot of tidying and dusting and thought I'd just mention a few WHU related topics to keep the wheels turning.

Firstly, of course, is the major news that West Ham are now under new ownership. CB Holding, an Icelandic holding company made up of banks owed money by the Hammers' previous owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson, has purchased the club for an amount rumoured to be in the region of £110m. A new chairman, Andrew Bernhardt who is a senior director of Straumur, who own 70% of CB Holding's shares, has been appointed to oversee the running of the club.

It's not thought this latest takeover is the end of the matter though as CB Holding have indicated they will consider the sale of the club when the financial situation is more stable, the assumption being that this purchase stabilises the existing situation and ensures West Ham continue as a going concern without threat of Administration, until the banks that make up CB Holding are ready to sell to some oil rich playboy somewhere.

It's not an ideal situation perhaps but, as CB Holding have indicated they are fully supporting the existing management team and releasing some funds for new players, it at least seems to have calmed the jitters over what would happen had Gudmundsson been declared bankrupt.

Talking of new players, West Ham have secured the services of forward Luis Jimenez from Inter Milan on a season-long loan, with a view to a possible permanent transfer. Zola, once again, seems to have been the draw for the 25 year old Chilean - nice to see my long held suggestion that a high profile boss would enable the Hammers to build slowly has come to fruition - and this seems to be something of a coup for our loveable boss. Jiminez is well known as a playmaker and his style should suit the Hammers well.

Rumours about Dean Ashton leaving for Stoke refuse to go away despite Scott Duxbury's protestations in an excellent in-depth interview with West Ham fanzine 'Knees up Mother Brown'. As I'd rather trust a KUMB interview with Duxbury than the insane prattlings of hacks trying to sell football stories in the close season, I hope this will turn out to be unfounded. Ashton's injury record is worrying but, fully fit, he is a 20 goal a season man and I'd like to think the Zola / Clarke team have at last got him sorted out. I'd hate to see him go to the Potters and then remain fully fit. On the other hand, were he to leave, I would assume that West Ham think his long term prognosis is not good.

Similarly, stories about the whereabouts of our Captain - if that is what he still is - continue to resurface. Lucas Neill was said to have left but is now rumoured to be coming back. Personally, I hope he stays as last season Neill showed us the player he undoubtably is and I think his ability to play right-back or central defence could be crucial next season. Manchester City's efforts to throw silly money at anyone who can spot a side netting at 40 yards continue to worry the long term Hammers prospects of Matthew Upson but, again, West Ham have indicated he is not for sale although I have to assume that means he is not for sale for anything less than more money than you or I will probably ever see in our life.

Anything else? Well, the new fixture list starts us off with an away game at newly-promoted Wolverhampton Wanderers with Spurs being the first visitors to Upton Park as the Aston Villa game scheduled for Tuesday 18th August has already been postponed. Whoops...that reminds me I better apply for my membership! Oh yea - West Ham have signed teenage defender Jack Lampe from non-league Harlow Town after the teenager impressed during a trial.

Right, I've put the Cif back in the cupboard and put the sacks out for the Dustman and it's time to go again. One final thing: I have no work at the moment. Nothing, Nada, Zilch - so, if you are looking for a top notch freelance IT professional then email me at billyblagg@hotmail.com. I'm a qualified trainer as well as a long standing support, helpdesk and project consultant. Help a man buy a season ticket.

See you in August and enjoy the melodic sunshine.....